WSCUC Reaffirms Accreditation of Pepperdine University
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University
Commission (WSCUC) announced that Pepperdine University’s accreditation has been reaffirmed
for the full 10-year term.
The announcement follows a four-year process aimed at assuring the educational community, general public, and other organizations and agencies that Pepperdine meets WSCUC’s core commitments and standards, such as defining institutional purposes, achieving educational objectives, and creating an organization committed to teaching, learning processes, and improvement.
“Throughout the rigorous WSCUC review process, which has been simultaneously challenging and eye-opening, the University has gained invaluable insights about our institutional strengths and the quality of the experience we provide to our community of faculty, staff, and students,” says University provost Jay Brewster. “We are encouraged by the commission’s commendations and recommendations and are incredibly grateful to our faculty and staff—and especially the University WSCUC Steering Committee—who dedicated countless hours over the last four years to ensure the reaffirmation of our accreditation. President Gash and I would particularly like to thank Seta Khajarian, associate provost for institutional effectiveness and assessment, April Marshall, professor of Hispanic studies and co-chair of the WSCUC steering committee, vice provost Lee Kats, and former provost Rick Marrs for their leadership in guiding the Pepperdine reaffirmation process.”
In its letter to the University, the WSCUC provided Pepperdine with commendations that recognized the school’s strong dedication to its mission and vision of community; its emphasis on strengthening student learning and enhancing curriculum; its leadership in developing strategic, innovative, and agile financial solutions to advance the University’s goals; and amplifying the use of student learning outcomes to inform decision-making and improve student success.
Among its recommendations, WSCUC proposed that the University accelerate progress on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion and develop and codify a definition of shared governance that clarifies roles and responsibilities of the faculty and administration and explicitly incorporates the institution’s commitment to collaboration and communication.
“The University WSCUC Steering Committee is very appreciative that Pepperdine was included in the initial cohorts accepted for the Thematic Pathway for Reaffirmation, or TPR, process,” says Marshall. “WSCUC's recognition of our overall financial health, strong and consistent record of student achievement, and sound educational quality is very satisfying, and the entire community should feel a great deal of institutional pride.”
The WSCUC will visit Pepperdine in spring 2025 to evaluate the University’s progress in its execution of the commission’s recommendations with a reaffirmation visit to follow in fall 2031. Read the full letter from the commission and other action letters for Pepperdine including the visit report.